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The Difference Between An Actor And A Star – Brian Medavoy

The Difference Between An Actor And A Star

Difference between star and actor

Bob Lefsetz is one of the sharpest voices in music right now. I don’t mean his singing voice – I can’t say I’ve ever heard him sing – but rather his sharp and critical take on the industry.

In his newsletter, the Lefsetz Letter, Bob’s audacious manner and strong POV combine to offer truthful and incisive takes on the shifting sands in the music business.

(Speaking of newsletters, sign up for mine if you’d like me to send you tips about how to navigate Hollywood and further your career.)

Bob’s got tens of thousands of subscribers, he’s been a regular contributor to Variety, and he’s survived feuds with everyone from Gene Simmons to Taylor Swift. The man is a legend.

Bob recently made a post on Lefsetz Letter cataloguing the traits of two different types of musicians. I was inspired by the simplicity and elegance with which Bob laid out his case studies, and saw a lot of parallels to the film industry.

So, with Bob’s permission, I’ve composed my own dual portrait of two different types of actors: the Star and the Journeyman.

STAR

Goes for immediate success.

ACTOR

Thinks about the long haul.

STAR

Walks into auditions with arrogance.

ACTOR

Walks into auditions with confidence.

STAR

Sees certain jobs as “beneath them.”

ACTOR

Understands that an important role can come from anywhere.

STAR

Takes the role with the biggest paycheck.

ACTOR

Takes the role that benefits them as an artist.

STAR

Hangs their pride on one role.

ACTOR

Always moves forward from job to job.

STAR

Sees themselves as someone to know.

ACTOR

Works hard to get to know others.

STAR

Complains the game is stacked against them.

ACTOR

Takes failure as an opportunity to work harder.

STAR

Desperately tries to network with those above them.

ACTOR

Takes time to help those below them.

STAR

Tries to emulate what’s “hot” in the industry.

ACTOR

Finds what they have that no one else has.

STAR

Only plays one type of character because it works for them.

ACTOR

Endeavors to diversify their work.

STAR

Signs with the biggest agent in the industry.

ACTOR

Signs with the best agent for them.

STAR

Leaves building their brand to a manager.

ACTOR

Takes an active and collaborative role in building their brand.

STAR

Uses social media to show off their success.

ACTOR

Uses social media to connect with fans.

STAR

Spends all their money on luxury purchases.

ACTOR

Invests their money back into their career.

STAR

Sees themselves as a celebrity.

ACTOR

Sees themselves as an actor.

STAR

Lives for awards and trophies.

ACTOR

Appreciates recognition but knows that’s it only a small part of their life.

STAR

Sees an end goal to work towards.

ACTOR

Sees checkpoints in a lifelong career.

STAR

Does it for the fame.

ACTOR

Does it for the work.

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7 comments

  • Harold Mendez

    Great article. Definitely applies to so many careers, including my journey from sports agent to that of talent manager (non sports talent). Thank you again for the informative articles!

  • Pam

    Oh how so many needed to read that.

    I call those actors Career Actors. The work hard and are humble and help their friends do better which makes for a good supporting actor.

    Sting is hard work. Staying in the game when you not a star is the game. Rewards mean more too.

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  • lanre danmola

    Thank you for sharing. Insightful read.

  • Hailey Feldman

    Hi! I absolutely love this post! As a person who is getting back into acting, I find your star versus actor post to be insightful and helpful. Is it OK if I still refer to myself as a Starlet? At least inside? Ha ha. Love your blog thank you so much

  • Shane Hagedorn

    Thanks for sharing, Brian. Most of us artists just want to work with cool people on cool projects. Everything on top of that is the icing.

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